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Monitoring

YARMOUTH, Maine—Whether the talk is about mobile PERS devices with geo-fencing, speed alerts and lone-worker monitoring, or about smartphone apps that better connect subscribers with central stations, the takeaway is that the monitoring space is going mobile, and the transformation is happening fast, according to central station executives who are using these newer technologies.

NEW YORK—It has ambitions to become a national enterprise-level security provider, but SecureWatch 24, a full-service security company based here, also has identified a strong market in its own backyard—the roughly 3,000 high-end jewelry stores in Manhattan’s famous Diamond District.

GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas—The topic of video verified alarms in the residential sphere featured prominently in a few panel discussions at ISC West, and it figures to remain a relevant topic as prices fall and technology improves.

GARDEN CITY, N.Y.—Since the inception of mobile PERS, central stations have faced the problem of getting the devices to cheaply and reliably identify the appropriate public safety answering point during an emergency situation.

BOCA RATON, Fla.—In what will be its largest acquisition as an independent company, ADT has agreed to acquire Canada-based monitoring giant Protectron in a $500 million deal, giving the company another 400,000 customers north of the border.

WARRENDALE, Pa.—Jason Bradley, the newly hired director of central station operations at Guardian Protection Services, was drawn to the company in part because of the management team’s vision of the central station as a centerpiece of its message to customers and dealers.

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Poll

Some companies this year have discussed the benefit of moving from operating their own central stations to partnering with a third party monitoring center, including RFI Communications, Red Hawk Fire & Security and Comtronics. Will more companies switch to using wholesale centrals?

Do you operate your own monitoring center? *

Yes, we operate our own.

We use/are a wholesale central.

Monitoring is not part of our business.

Do you see more companies switching to wholesale in the future? *

No, companies that like that model are already using it.

Yes, I think companies will continue to see benefits.

Other/I’m not sure.

Are there benefits to switching to a wholesale central? *

Yes, third party centrals can be faster with new technologies.

No, operating the central means more control.

Other/I’m not sure.

Please elaborate on your answers and leave your name and contact information for follow-up.